October 4, 2004

Ceiling Price For Chicken Up In Malaysia

The ceiling price for chicken in Malaysia has been increased by RM 50 cents from October 1.

The new wholesale price for live chicken will be RM4.50 per kilo while super dressed chickens (without shanks, head, liver and gizzard) will cost RM5.40 per kilo.

The ex-farm price has also been increased to RM4 per kilo, while the retail price of live chicken will be RM5 per kilo and RM6 per kilo for standard chicken.

The decision to increase the prices was made after the Federation of Livestock Farmers' Associations of Malaysia submitted a proposal to the Government stating that chicken prices should be increased to keep up with the high maintenance cost.

Many poultry farms had to be closed due to the recent bird flu outbreak and other problems. The new prices would help to lessen the financial burden faced by poultry farmers.

This increase in the ceiling price of chicken does not apply to Sabah as the state had already raised its prices by 30% a month ago. 

State Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry (Dovsai) director Awang Sahak Salleh said the Chicken Price Control Committee agreed to the increase after the cost of chicken feed rose by some RM1 per kilo, from RM3.45 to RM4.46. 

Retail prices for live chicken in Sabah are now RM4.90 per kilo for the west coast, RM5.10 for Tawau and RM5.30 for Sandakan. Prices for dressed chicken register RM6.90 per kilo for the west coast, RM7.10 for Tawau and RM7.20 for Sandakan. 

Wholesale prices per kilo of dressed chicken are RM6.30 (west coast), RM6.50 (Tawau) and RM6.60 (Sandakan).